Tuesday, 17 November 2009

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Jedward's struggle: It's all too much

The X Factor twins are seeing counsellors after an enormous public backlash

John and Edward faced huge public backlash after beating Lucie Jones

John and Edward Grimes may be on their way to making millions, but the pressure is pushing the blond brothers close to breaking point.

Now has learnt that the twins, who have 95 hate groups on Facebook dedicated to them, have been seeing X Factor counsellors after finally losing their thick-skinned attitude towards their notoriety.

'They were already getting so much hate mail the show's bosses stopped them from seeing it,' says a source.

'It was bad enough when people were angry that they always seem to be on last, which is seen as the most memorable spot if you want viewers to vote for you.

'Then Simon Cowell made matters even worse by doing a dramatic U-turn and taking it to deadlock to keep them in.

'The twins used to just say how much they were enjoying themselves and seemed to be in a world of their own, but it's finally getting to be too much. They were tearful and they've had sleepless nights.

'They're afraid of being outside the X Factor bubble because they think the public hate them so much. They're only 18 and the strain is showing.'

Jedward have received most criticism for being unable to sing and dance. As a result, they're training for 12 hours at a time.

They start at 7am, then after tea at 7pm they often run through their routines again. They were forced to seek help after fears they weren't coping.

Last week, John said: 'Websites say: 'John and Edward are shit.' I get so upset by it I can't sleep. It goes round and round in my head.

'We walk down the street and people say: 'There are those losers.'

Beth McLoughlin

See the full story about John and Edward in Now magazine dated 23 November 2009 - out now!